Burial vault



H. E. METZ BURIAL VAULT 7 July 1, 1941.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 50, 1939 Inventor A'tiorneys H. E. METZBURIAL VAULT July'l, 1941.

Filed Nov. so, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l (40 Inventor HAS/(ELL E. METZPatented July 1', 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BURIAL VAULT HaskellE. Metz, Marion, Ohio Application November 30, 1939, Serial No. 306,936

2 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in burialvaults, and more particularly to a vault containing means for absorbingmoisture.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a vault inwhich means is provided for dehydration to the end that the interior ofthe Vault will be maintained dry at all times.

Another important object of the invention is to provide dehydrationmeans for vaults which will absorb all moisture and which can beconveniently embodied in practically any type of vault.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a cross-sectional view through a bottom-seal type ofmetal vault.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through a concrete bottom-seal typevault.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through a concrete top-seal typevault.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, itcan be seen in Figures 1 and 2, that numeral 5 generally refers to thebottom section of the bottom-seal vault, while numeral 6 generallyrefers to the top shell, the lower edges of the end and side wallsthereof being curved outwardly as at 'l and disposed upwardly inoutwardly flared direction as at 8. The thus formed lower portions ofthe shell 6 are disposed into the trough 9 at the perimeter of the basesection 5. Suitable sealing material is disposed in the trough 9 forthoroughly sealing the lower edge of the shell 6 and trough 9 together,and these portions are further secured together by bolts The lowersection of the vault is provided with the bottom |2, and the top l3.Cleats l4 are secured to the inner side I5 of the trough 9 and serve tosupport the mesh sheet l6 between which and the top I3 is disposed anelongated bed of absorbent material such as calcium chloride. The top I3is open as at IT to allow air to reach the bed which is denoted bynumeral I8. Bridge members l9 span the opening I! and support the casket20.

Figure 3 discloses a concrete bottom-seal vault which consists of thebottom section 2| having the trough consisting of the outer beveled wall22 and the inner somewhat taller wall 23. The trough receives thereduced lower portions of the side walls of the shell-like upper section24. The inner sides of the wall 23 are somewhat thickened as at 25 todefine shoulders upon which the mesh sheet 26 rests and upon this isdisposed the cake of absorbing material 21 such as calcium chloride.Bars 28 span the space between the walls 23 and are slightly spaced fromthe cake 2'! to allow for circulation of air within the vault. Thecasket 29 is supported on the bridge bars 28. This type of vault has thethickened portion 39 adjacent its lower edge which is beveled at itslower portion as at 3| to match the beveled portion of the side walls 22of the trough. The trough contains a suitable sealing material 32.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 4 consists of the bottomsection generally referred to by numeral 33 the upper edge of which isthickened as at 34 and. formed to define a trough 35 in which is thesealing material for receiving the depending rib 36 on the top 31. Inthis form of the invention U-shaped frames 38 are provided in the bottomof the trough and are connected by angle iron members 39 which formrests for the mesh sheet 49 and on this mesh sheet is disposed the cake4| of absorbent material such as calcium chloride. The upper ends of theleg portions of the U-shaped frames 39 are turned inwardly as at 42 toprovide rests for the cross bars 43, these bars 43 being preferablyspaced from the cake 4| to allow sufiicient space for the circulation ofair over the cake 4|.

It can be seen that in the form of the invention shown in Figur 1, achamber |8a is afforded below the screen Hi to catch any moisture thatmay drip from the cake and the corresponding chamber is shown by numeralM41 in the form of the invention shown in Figure 4.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specificterms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, sizeand materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A burial vault comprising a case having a closure, a riser formationin the lower portion of the case, supporting means for a casket bridgingthe riser formation, said riser formation being provided with aninternal shoulder construction spaced upwardly from the bottom of thecase, a perforate sheet horizontally spanning the shoulder constructionand a cake of invention, what is absorbing material disposed on the saidperforate sheet and below the casket supporting means.

2. A burial vault comprising a base, a cover for the base, a riserstructure on the base, and within the confines of the cover, said riserbeing formed to provide a shoulder above the top of the base, a supportof foraminous material resting on the shoulder and in spaced relation tothe top of the base, means for supporting a casket at the top of theriser and a mass of moisture absorbing material on the foraminous 5support.

